18 July 2007

Public Service Announcement

It seems the female blogging world has reached its annual pre-BlogHer peak of frenzy. I have read so many comments about how nervous people are about it.

Let Aunt Suebob assuage your jitters and debunk your worst fantasies.

1. It is going to be just like high school with cliques and mean girls.Fortunately, most BlogHer folk have gone beyond that. While there are little groups that know each other and may seem exclusive at first, most people at BlogHer are open and welcoming - we are sisters in geekdom, after all. We understand each other in a way that 95% of the world does not, and we have a few short days together.

3. But I am different.Get over yourself. Everyone is different. Be proud. If you are different and a jerk, no one will like you. If you are different and friendly, you will do just fine.

4. I am too fat/too ugly/not stylish/have a f***ed up haircut/have nothing to wear.Save that for the other 363 days a year. At BlogHer, you're ok.

5. I don't want to make an ass of myself in front of my blog crushes.Why not? Your blog crushes make an ass of themselves in front of YOU all the time. Isn't that why you love them?

6. I can't afford it.I can't help you with this one. Neither can I, but in a Scarlett O'Hara burst of enthusiasm, as God is my witness, I will be in Chicago.

7. I will end up sitting in a corner by myself.You might, but you will have to try awfully damned hard to do so.

8. I'm not good in social situations.News flash: most of us aren't. Why do you think we are bloggers, sitting behind our little screens, lobbing our words at an unseen audience? It isn't because we are social butterflies who just LOVE to get out there and mingle.

But with BlogHer, you get 2 days of concentrated socializing, so you can crawl back into your cocoon for the other 11 13/14ths of the year and read blogs and say "Hey, at least I have blogging friends from all over the place. I'm actually kind of a big deal."

So deep breaths, my lovelies. Grab your beverage of choice, pull up a chair, and get ready for fun. This is not a test. No points will be given or subtracted. Your only duty is to relax and enjoy yourself. Go.

******

There is also video of my sick crush, Ari Gold, (among other things) over at Linkateria

I'm so excited and not at all nervous, but that's due to the clique I've already formed: my roommates suzanne, Alex Elliot, and Count Mockula. Plus I get to meet so many new people, including you Suebob, the reason I know (of) most of these people! I love you Suebob!

I don't think there's anything wrong with publicly expressing angst by those who are going. If you're nervous about large groups, trust me, no amount of comfort will make you feel better, because it's overwhelming and scary! And sometimes reassurance is a good thing, when done gently, but sometimes you just gotta get it out there.

Though I've never been to BlogHer, I've been to other conferences of a similar nature, and they ARE angst-inducing, to some degree. It's okay to be nervous about that stuff! Everyone is! The truth is, these things aren't fun for everyone, no matter how wonderful the people attending are, and that's okay too.

For me, as I posted, it was a perfect storm of reasons, mostly surrounding expense and my toddler-like discomfort in large groups. It's not that I don't want to meet everyone -- I do -- but again, over a plate of cookies in a more intimate setting is so much more my game.

I can't wait to see you again Suebob! And meet the rest of you. And like Des, I am much less nervous this year because I know more people. The conference really can be overwhelming as Jonniker said, but there are niches for everyone.

how did I miss this post? oh, yeah, I was having a really dreadful day...so my comment will get lost in the ether I fear, but loving run on sentences as I do (almost as much as parenthetical comments), I must say this: excitement comes in many forms, ladies. some of us experience it as great joy and some as full blown jitters. tis the nature of the particular beast, I suppose. See you all there.....!

Thanks for easing my jitters about going to BlogHer -- I am a first-time attendee who hasn't flown in over 15 years, anywhere -- now, if only you were sitting next to me and, you know, holding my hand on the plane!